Downloading map segment(s) to a cell phone based upon its gps coordinates and mobility

ABSTRACT

A wireless terminal displays its location and navigation information (map segment) on its display. The wireless terminal accesses a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver of the wireless terminal to determine its location coordinates. The wireless terminal determines a maximum data size for navigation information to be downloaded. The wireless terminal sends a navigation information download request to a map server via a supporting wireless network infrastructure that includes the location coordinates and the maximum data size. The wireless terminal receives navigation information that has a data size no greater than the maximum data size and displays the navigation information on the display. The wireless terminal may display a map segment and an icon representing the wireless terminal at a location corresponding to the location coordinates of the wireless terminal with respect to the map segment. The wireless terminal may download a premises map from a premises map server.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/069,532,filed Mar. 1, 2005, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,xxx,xxx, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/647,222,filed Jan. 26, 2005, both of which are incorporated herein by referencefor all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to wireless communications; andmore particularly to operations relating to the location/mobility of awireless terminal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Communication systems are well known. Communication systems include bothwired communication systems and wireless communication systems. Wiredcommunication systems include the Public Switched Telephone Network(PSTN), Wide Area Networks (WANs), Local Area Networks (LANs), and othernetworks that use wired or optical media for the transmission of data.Wireless communication systems include cellular telephone systems,satellite communication systems, Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs),Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs), and other networks that employa wireless link between a serviced terminal and a networkinfrastructure. Of course, many communications are serviced using acombination of wireless communication systems and wired communicationsystems.

Mobile navigation systems for automotive applications have become quitepopular. With these automobile based navigation systems, an opticalmedia is employed to store map information used for navigation purposes,e.g., road information, address information, etc. Such map informationis quite voluminous, often requiring many CDs to store. Hand-held GlobalPositioning System (GPS) terminals have been available for some time andare commonly used. These hand-held GPS terminals typically have minimalstorage capacity for maps making them have limited functionally fornavigation purposes. Thus, there is a need in the art for techniques forutilizing a wireless terminal with limited storage capabilities fornavigational purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods of operationthat are further described in the following Brief Description of theDrawings, the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims.Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the invention madewith reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating a wireless communication systemthat operates according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a first embodiment of the presentinvention for operating a wireless terminal;

FIG. 3A is a partial flow chart illustration operations of the presentinvention in downloading map segments;

FIG. 3B is a flow chart illustrating operation of the present inventionin determining map segment downloading latency;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a second embodiment of the presentinvention for operating a wireless terminal;

FIG. 5 is a partial flow diagram illustrating compass mode operationsaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a block diagram representing a display of a wireless terminaloperating according to the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a block diagram representing a display of a wireless terminaloperating according to the present invention and when in a compass mode;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram representing a display operating according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless terminal constructedaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a system diagram illustrating a system that may be usedaccording to the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating map segment structure accordingto the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating a wireless communication systemthat operates according to the present invention. The wirelesscommunication system 100 of FIG. 1 includes one or more servicing basestations and/or wireless access points (WAPs) 110, 112, 114, and 116.The reader should understand that the structure of FIG. 1 is used onlyto convey the principles of the present invention and is not intended tobe a detailed description of a cellular wireless communication system, aWireless Local Area Network (WLAN), a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN),or a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN).

As is shown, base station/WAP 110 supports wireless terminals 118 and120 within a respective serving area, e.g., cell, sector, premises,area, etc. Likewise, base station/WAP 112 supports wireless terminals122 and 124, base station/WAP 114 supports wireless terminals 126 and128, and base station/WAP 116 supports wireless terminal 130 and 132.The base stations/WAPs 110, 112, 114, and 116 are serviced via networkbackbone 134 and interface device 136. The interface device 136 couplesthe wireless backbone network 134 to another network 138. The anothernetwork 138 may include a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network(WAN), the Internet, or any other type of network that couples thewireless backbone network backbone 134 via the network interface 136 tocomputers or terminals 140, 142, and 142, one, some or all of which maybe map servers.

The operation of the wireless communication system 100 and of thewireless terminals 118-132 supported thereby will be described furtherwith reference to FIGS. 2-7 and 9-10. The structure of the wirelessterminals 118-132 will be described further with reference to FIG. 8.Generally, according to a first embodiment, a wireless terminal 118 isoperable to download and display navigation information on a display ofthe wireless terminal. The navigation information may include textinstructions for reaching a desired destination, a combination oftextual and graphical information for reaching a desired destination, amap segment, an icon that represents a location of the wireless terminalon the map segment, an icon that represents a location of a desireddestination on the map segment, or other navigation information.

Operation commences with the wireless terminal 118 accessing a GlobalPositioning System (GPS) receiver of the wireless terminal 118 todetermine its location coordinates. Then, the wireless terminal 118determines a maximum data size for navigation information to bedownloaded. The wireless terminal 118 then sends a navigationinformation download request to a server, e.g., 144 via a supportingwireless network infrastructure 134. The navigation information downloadrequest includes the location coordinates and the maximum data size. Thesupporting wireless network infrastructure 134 may be a cellulartelephone network infrastructure, a WLAN infrastructure, a WPANinfrastructure, or another supporting wireless network infrastructure.In another embodiment, network 138 and device 136 support interactionwith map server 140 and/or 142.

Operation continues with the wireless terminal 118 downloadingnavigation information corresponding to the location coordinates of thewireless terminal 118 (and also to the desired destination). Thenavigation information has a data size no greater than the maximum datasize. The operation concludes with the wireless terminal 118 displayingthe navigation information on its display. Such operation may includedisplaying a map segment an icon that represents the wireless terminal118 on the map segment, and/or an icon that represents the desireddestination on the display. The icons displayed on the map segment aredisplayed at locations corresponding to the location coordinates of thewireless terminal 118 with respect to the map segment and of the desireddestination with respect to the map segment, These operations will bedescribed further with reference to FIG. 2.

In its operation, the wireless terminal 118 will download additionalinformation, e.g., additional map segments, when required for continuedmapping/navigation operations. Thus, operation may also include thewireless terminal 118 determining a map segment downloading latency.With this operation, the wireless terminal 118 determines a rate ofmotion of the wireless terminal. The wireless terminal 118 thenestimates a duration of time when future location coordinates of thewireless terminal 118 will depart from a, current map segment. Then,when the map segment downloading latency compares unfavorably to theduration of time, the wireless terminal 118 sends a subsequent mapsegment download request to the map server 144 via the wireless networkinfrastructure 134. In response, the wireless terminal 118 receives asubsequent map segment that it stores in its memory. These operationswill be described further with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B

The operation of the present invention may include a compass modefeature. With such compass mode feature, the wireless terminal 118determines an orientation of the wireless terminal 118 with respect to areference direction, e.g., north. Operation includes then orienting themap segment on the display of the wireless terminal 118 based upon theorientation of the wireless terminal 118 so that the map segment isdisplayed a the correct orientation with reference to mapped physicalfeatures. These operations will be described further with reference toFIGS. 5-7.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a wirelessterminal 126 displays a premises map segment for use by a user of thewireless terminal 126 while within a corresponding premises 108.Operation commences with the wireless terminal 126 detecting itsentering a premises serviced by a premises Wireless Access Point (WAP)114. With the second embodiment, component 114 is considered thepremises WAP 114. The premises WAP 114 may operate according to a WLANinterface standard or a WPAN interface standard, for example. Operationcontinues with the wireless terminal 126 establishing wirelesscommunications with the premises WAP 114. Once the communications areestablished, the wireless terminal 126 establishes communications with apremises map server, e.g., 144 or 146, via the premises WAP 114. Thepremises map server 144 or 146 may be coupled to the premises WAP via aservicing network 134. Then, the wireless terminal 126 downloads apremises map from the map server 144 or 146 via the premises WAP 114.Operation concludes with the wireless terminal 126 displaying thepremises map on the display. Operation according to the secondembodiment of the present invention may include the wireless terminal126 accessing a GPS receiver to determine its location coordinates.Further, the wireless terminal 126 may display an icon upon the premisesmap to indicate a relative position of the wireless terminal 126.

In establishing wireless communications with the premises WAP 114, thewireless terminal 126 may first detect the premises WAP 114. Thewireless terminal 126 may then query the premises WAP 114 to requestaccess to the premises WAP 114. Then, the wireless terminal 126 wouldreceive an access grant from the premises WAP 114 such that it mayestablish communications and be serviced by the premises WAP 114. Oncecommunication is established, the wireless terminal 126 may discover thepremises map server 144 or 146 based upon interaction with the premisesWAP 114. After discovery the wireless terminal 126 may then send apremises map download request to the premises map server 144 or 146 viathe premises WAP 114. In response, the wireless terminal 126 woulddownload the premises map from the premises map server 144 or 146 viathe premises WAP 114. The second embodiment may also employ the compassmode features previously described.

Both the first and second embodiment may include the wireless terminal118 or 126 downloading a map segment that includes a plurality ofpoints-of-interest. This plurality of points-of-interest may includephysical features, meeting places, and other features. The map or mapsegment may also include GPS coordinates, respected to the plurality ofpoints-of-interest. In this case, the user of the wireless terminal maynavigate to reach particular points-of-interest.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a first embodiment of the presentinvention for operating a wireless terminal. Operation 200 commenceswith the wireless terminal accessing a global positioning system (GPS)receiver of the wireless terminal to determine location coordinates ofthe wireless terminal (Step 202). Operation continues in determining amaximum data size for a navigation information download (Step 204). Thenavigation information may include directions in a graphical and/ortextual format, a map segment of varying detail, or other navigationinformation. Operation continues with sending a navigation informationdownload request to a map server via a supporting wireless networkinfrastructure (Step 206). The navigation information download requestincludes the location coordinates and the maximum data size.

Determining a maximum data size for the navigation information downloadat Step 204 may include determining a data size of currently availablememory and then estimating a data size required for other applicationuses. Then, this operation may include determining the maximum data sizefrom the navigation information download based upon the size of thecurrently available memory and the data size required for otherapplication uses. This operation may also include determining additionalmemory that will be available when overwriting all or a portion ofnavigation information that is currently loaded in the wirelessterminal's memory. The wireless terminal may determine that overwritingstored navigation information when the new or subsequent navigationinformation is downloaded. In order to meet the maximum data size, theserver may: (1) select a level of detail of the navigation informationto meet the maximum data size; (2) select geographic boundaries of a mapsegment to meet the maximum data size; (3) select a level of detail ofthe map segment to meet the maximum data size; (4) select a level ofresolution of the map segment to meet the maximum data size; and (5)choose textual navigation information to minimize the size of thenavigation information, among other characteristics of the navigationinformation that affects is size.

Operation continues with the wireless terminal receiving navigationinformation corresponding to the location coordinates of the wirelessterminal and having a data size no greater than the maximum data size(Step 208). The amount of detail and information downloaded as thenavigation information depends upon the maximum data size determined bythe wireless terminal. Thus, the wireless terminal will be able to storethe navigation information in its available memory upon receipt.Operation continues with the wireless terminal displaying the navigationinformation on its display (Step 210). When the navigation informationincludes a map segment, the map segment is displayed. Further, iconsrepresenting the wireless terminal and a desired destination may bedisplayed on the map segment at their corresponding locationcoordinates. In this fashion, the wireless terminal may present to theuser his or her current location and of the desired destination on themap segment for subsequent navigation.

FIG. 3A is a partial flow chart illustration operations 200 of thepresent invention in downloading map segments. The wireless terminalfirst determines a map segment downloading latency (Step 302). Theoperation of Step 302 will be described further with reference to FIG.3B. Operation continues in determining a rate of motion of the wirelessterminal (Step 304). The wireless terminal may determine its rate ofmotion via accessing the GPS receiver. Then, the wireless terminalestimates duration of time when future location coordinates of thewireless terminal will depart from a current map segment (Step 306).

By tracking its location over time using the GPS receiver, the wirelessterminal may determine approximately its rate of motion and itsdirection of motion with respect to the map segment, In this case, thewireless terminal will then be able to estimate when its locationcoordinates will no longer reside on the map segment. When the mapsegment downloading latency compares unfavorably to the duration oftime, the wireless terminal sends a subsequent map segment downloadrequest to the map server via the supporting wireless networkinfrastructure (Step 308). Thus, with the operation of FIG. 3A, thewireless terminal only downloads a subsequent map segment when required.Further, the wireless terminal intelligently waits until the subsequentmap segment is needed before sending the subsequent map segment downloadrequest.

FIG. 3B is a flow chart illustrating operation 302 of the presentinvention in determining map segment downloading latency. Such operationincludes first estimating a data download rate from the map server (Step352). In estimating the data download rate from the map server, thewireless terminal may refer to the data download rate of the previousmap segment or to multiple previous map segments from the map server.Then, the wireless terminal estimates the data size of the subsequentmap segment (Step 354). This estimate may be based upon the size of theprevious map segment that was downloaded from the map server.Alternatively, the wireless terminal may estimate the data size basedupon its available memory size with such estimate indicated to the mapserver upon the next map segment download request. Then, the wirelessterminal determines the map segment downloading latency based upon thedownload rate and the data size (Step 356). The principles of FIGS. 3Aand 3B may also be applied to other types of navigation information thatare downloaded to the wireless terminal.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a second embodiment of the presentinvention for operating a wireless terminal. Operation 400 commencesWith the wireless terminal detecting the presence of a premises WAP(Step 402). In one particular operation, the wireless terminal detectsthe premises WAP upon entering a serviced premises by receiving a beaconsignal broadcast by the premises WAP. Operation continues with thewireless terminal establishing wireless communications with the premisesWAP (Step 404). Then, the wireless terminal establishes communicationswith a premises map server via the premises WAP (Step 406). As wasdescribed with reference to FIG. 1, the map server may couple to a LANthat services the premises. Alternately the map server may be coupled tothe premises WAP via multiple coupling networks, Operation continueswith the wireless terminal downloading a premises map from the premisesmap server via the premises WAP (Step 408). The wireless terminal maythen access its GPS receiver to determine its location coordinates (Step410). The wireless terminal then displays the premises map on itsdisplay (Step 412). In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the wireless terminalmay also display an icon representing itself on the premises map (Step414). The principles of FIG. 4 may also be applied to downloading othernavigation information regarding the premises, e.g., textual orgraphical directions to a particular store in a mall, informationregarding stores in a mall, locations of particular points of interestwithin the premises, etc.

FIG. 5 is a partial flow diagram illustrating “compass mode,” operationsaccording to the present invention. With compass mode operations, thewireless terminal determines an orientation of the wireless terminalwith respect to a reference direction (Step 502). This referencedirection may be magnetic north, actual north, or another referencedirection. Typically, this reference direction is determined based upona magnetic compass, access of the GPS receiver, or by another mechanismsupported by the wireless terminal. Based upon the determinedorientation, the wireless terminal orients the map segment on thedisplay based upon the orientation of the wireless terminal so that themap segment is displayed in a correct orientation with reference tomapped physical features (Step 504). The operation of Steps 502 and 504may be performed concurrently with Step 210 of FIG. 2 or with steps 412and 414 of FIG. 4. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate further the teachings of thecompass mode feature of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6A is a block diagram representing a display of a wireless terminaloperating according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6A, thedisplay 602 of the wireless terminal has displayed there upon a mapsegment along with icons that represent the wireless terminal 626. Shownin the map segment are geographic entities 606, 607, 608, 610, 612, 614,616, 618, and 620 (referred to hereinafter as 606-620), one of which maybe a desired destination. These geographic entities 606-620 may bebuildings, parks, landmarks, parking areas, or other geographic featuresidentified within the map segment. The wireless terminal may identify orprovide additional information with regard to these geographic features606-620. The actual size and shape of these geographic features 606-620may be indicated in more detail than is shown in FIG. 6A. Ale mapsegment shown on display 602 also shows roads 622 and 624. The wirelessterminal 626 is shown as an icon in the shape of an automobile becauseit is residing upon road 622. Else map segment is shown in oneorientation with a reference direction 632 which in the example of FIG.6A is the direction north.

FIG. 6B is a block diagram representing a display of a wireless terminaloperating according to the present invention and when in a compass mode.As shown in FIG. 6B, the map segment on display 650 has been orientedbased upon the orientation of the tracking wireless terminal withrespect to a reference direction so that the geographic features 606-620of the map segment are displayed in a correct orientation with referenceto the orientation of the wireless terminal. As is shown, the northvector 632 is not oriented vertically on the display 650. Thus, ascompared to the display 602 of FIG. 6A, the tracking wireless terminalresides in a different physical orientation with respect to thereference direction 632. The teachings illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6Bmay be easily extended to any particular orientation of the trackingwireless terminal. Based upon the particular orientation of the wirelessterminal, the reference numerals and information relating to thegeographical features may be oriented in different directions for easieraccess by the user of the tracking wireless terminal

Note that the operations of FIG. 613 work best when a plane of thedisplay orients substantially in parallel to the surface of the earth.In this orientation, a reference direction of the wireless terminal,e.g., a side of the display 650, may most easily be compared to thereference direction 632. Thus, the display 602 may include a warning 640directing the user to place the display into a horizontal position. Withthe display 602 in the horizontal position the geographic features606-620 of the map segment may be most easily displayed in a correctorientation with reference to the orientation of the wireless terminal.With the display 602 not in a horizontal position, two separateoperations may be employed. The relative orientation of the wirelessterminal with respect to the reference direction may be best estimatedand the display 602 updated based upon the best estimate. Alternately,the wireless terminal may use a last valid estimate of the relativeorientation of the wireless terminal with respect to the referencedirection.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram representing a display operating according toanother embodiment of the present invention. The display includes anindication of the relative position of a desired destination withrespect to the wireless terminal. With the particular embodimentillustrated in FIG. 7, a vector 704 contained within a boundary 602 anda distance indication 706 provides the indication. A reference direction632, e.g., North, may also be provided to the user for additionalinformation. With this information, that is continually updated, a userof the wireless terminal may easily determine the relative position ofthe wireless terminal to the desired destination. Alternately, or inaddition, the display 700 may include thereon textual directions to theintended desired destination. The display of such information wouldfurther reduce the download requirements to the wireless terminal fromthe servicing wireless network.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless terminal constructedaccording to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the wirelessterminal 800 includes a GPS receiver 802, a wireless interface 804, aprocessing unit 806, memory 808, user interface 810, and a battery 812.The components of the wireless terminal 800 are typically containedwithin a hard case that provides protection from the elements, Thewireless interface 804 will have particular structure and functionalitybased upon the type of the wireless terminal 800. For example, when thewireless terminal 800 is a cellular telephone, the wireless interface804 will support a corresponding interface standard e.g., GSM, GPRS,EDGE, UMTS, 1xRTT, 1xEV-DO, 1xL,V-DV, etc. The wireless interface 804 ofthe cellular telephone 804 may also/alternately support WWAN, WLAN,and/or WPAN functionality. When the wireless terminal is a WLAN terminalfor example, the wireless interface 804 will support standardizedcommunication according to the IEEE 802.11x group of standards, forexample. When the wireless terminal is a WPPAN device, the wirelessinterface 804 would support the Bluetooth interface standard or anotherWPAN standard such as the 802.15 standard. In any case, the wirelessinterface 804 may support all or a subset of cellular telephone, WLAN,and WPAN operations.

The processing unit 806 may include any type of processor such as amicroprocessor, a digital signal processor, an Application SpecificIntegrated Circuit (ASIC), or a combination of processing type devices.The processing unit 806 is operable to execute a plurality of softwareinstructions that are stored in memory 808 and downloaded for execution.The processing unit 806 may also include specialized hardware requiredto implement particular aspects of the present invention. Memory 808 mayinclude SRAM, DRAM, PROM, flash RAM, or any other type of memory capableof storing data and instructions.

A user interface 810 may include a microphone, a speaker, a keypad, ascreen, a touch screen, a light, a voice recognition system, an opticalrecognition system that would authenticate a user's iris, for example,and/or any other type of interface that may be employed in the wirelessterminal. In some embodiments, the user interface 810 may includetherewith ability to service a headset including microphone and earpiecefor the user. In some embodiments of the wireless terminal 800, the userinterface 810 is of reduced functionality to minimize the size of thewireless terminal 800. Iii such case, programming of the wirelessterminal 800 may be performed via the wireless interface 804. In suchcase, the wireless terminal. 800 may be small enough to be worn around achild's wrist, around the neck, pinned to the inside of clothing, placedin a pocket, or concealed upon the person. Battery 812 powers thecomponents of the wireless terminal 800.

FIG. 9 is a system diagram illustrating a system that may be usedaccording to the present invention. Referring now to FIG. 9, theoperations of both the first embodiment and the second embodiment areillustrated. The system of FIG. 9 includes a server 902, a server 910, awireless network 906, Internet 904, LAN,/WAN 908, premises WLAN 907,premises map server 916, and WAP 912. The premises WAP 912 servicespremises 914 and supports wireless communications with wireless terminal132 when located within the premises 914. Wireless network 906 supportswireless communications for both wireless terminal 120 and 132. Wirelessnetwork 906 may be a cellular wireless communication system, a WWANcommunication system or another wireless communication system thatservices areas outside of premises 914.

According to the present invention of the first embodiment, server 902or 910 services navigation information download requests from wirelessterminal 120 and/or 132. Thus, the operations of the first embodiment ofthe present invention may be supported by servers 902, 910, LAN/WAN 908,internet 904 and wireless network 906.

Operations according to the second embodiment of the present inventionmay be supported by premises WLAN 907, WAP 912, and map server 916. Whenwireless terminal 132 enters premises 914, it establishes communicationswith premises WAP 912. Via premises WAP 912, wireless terminal 132accesses map server 916 via the premises WLAN 907 and WAPP 912. Uponthis access, the premises map server downloads a premises map towireless terminal. 132 for display on the display of the wirelessterminal. This premises map will typically include a plurality ofpoints-of-interest located within premises 914. Premises map would alsoinclude GPS coordinates respected to the plurality points-of-interestwithin the premises 914. Further, the map segment may include offersavailable within premises. For example, if the premises includes anumber of stores and is a shopping mall, the premises map may includespecial offers not otherwise available causing customer/user of wirelessterminal 132 to move to particular stores. The wireless terminal havingreceived the map segment of the premises map from the map server, mapserver 916, would be able to receive the special offer.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating map segment structure accordingto the present invention. A complete map 1002 includes a plurality ofmap sectors 1010. Not all of map sectors 1010 are numbered in FIG. 10.One or more map sectors 1010 may be combined to form a map segment bythe map server, the map segment downloaded to a wireless terminal by themap server. The size of the map segment is determined based upon the mapsegment download request received from the wireless terminal, forexample at Step 206 of FIG. 2 or Step 408 of FIG. 4. Based upon thecontents of the map segment download request, e.g., location coordinatesdetermined at step 202 and maximum data size determined at step 204, themap server creates a map segment of appropriate size and, in some cases,an appropriate level of geographic details. As shown, map segments 1014,1016, and 1018 have a first number of map sectors 1010 includedtherewith. Further, map segment 1012 has a second number of map sectors1012 included therewith. The level of geographic details may differ foreach of the map segments 1012, 1014, 1016, and 1018.

As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, the term“substantially” or “approximately,” as may be used herein, provides anindustry-accepted tolerance to its corresponding term. Such anindustry-accepted tolerance ranges from less than one percent to twentypercent and corresponds to, but is not limited to, component values,integrated circuit process variations, temperature variations, rise andfall times, and/or thermal noise. As one of average skill in the artwill further appreciate, the terms “communicatively coupled” or“operably coupled”, as may be used herein, includes direct coupling andindirect coupling via another component, element, circuit or modulewhere, for indirect coupling, the intervening component element,circuit, or module does not modify the information of a signal but mayadjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As one ofaverage skill in the art will also appreciate, :inferred coupling (i.e.,where one element is coupled to another element by inference) includesdirect and indirect coupling between two elements in the same manner as“operably coupled.” As one of average skill in the art will furtherappreciate, the term “compares favorably,” as may be used herein,indicates that a comparison between two or more elements, items signals,etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when the desiredrelationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, afavorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude of signal 1 isgreater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude of signal 2 is lessthan that of signal 1.

The invention disclosed herein is susceptible to various modificationsand alternative forms. Specific embodiments therefore have been shown byway of example in the drawings and detailed description. It should beunderstood, however, that the drawings and description thereto are notintended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but onthe contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents,and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention as defined by the claims.

1. A method for operating a wireless terminal to display a map segmenton a display of the wireless terminal, the method comprising: accessinga Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver of the wireless terminal todetermine location coordinates of the wireless terminal; determining amaximum data size for a map segment download; selecting a level ofdetail for the map segment download; sending a map segment downloadrequest to a server via a supporting wireless network infrastructure,the map segment download request including the location coordinates, themaximum data size, and the selected level of detail; receiving a mapsegment corresponding to the location coordinates of the wirelessterminal the map segment having a data size no greater than the maximumdata size and a level of detail corresponding to the selected level ofdetail; and displaying the map segment and an icon that represents thewireless terminal on the display, the icon displayed on the map segmentat a location corresponding to the location coordinates of the wirelessterminal.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a maximum datasize for a map segment download comprises: determining a data size ofcurrently available memory; estimating a data size required for otherapplication uses; and based upon the size of the currently availablememory and the data size required for other application uses,determining the maximum data size for the map segment download.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein determining a maximum data size for a mapsegment download comprises: determining a data size of currentlyavailable memory; estimating a data size required for other applicationuses; determining a data size of prior map segment(s) that may beoverwritten; and based upon the size of the currently available memory,the data size required for other application uses, and a data size ofprior map segment(s) that may be overwritten, determining the maximumdata size for the map segment download.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising: determining a map segment downloading latency;determining a rate of motion of the wireless terminal; estimating aduration of time when future location coordinates of the wirelessterminal will depart from a current map segment; and when the mapsegment downloading latency compares unfavorably to the duration oftime, sending a map segment download request to a map server via thesupporting wireless network infrastructure.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein determining the map segment downloading latency comprises:estimating a data download rate from a servicing map server; estimatinga data size of a map segment to be downloaded; and determining the mapsegment downloading latency based upon the download rate and the datasize.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the map segment has geographicboundaries selected to meet the maximum data size.
 7. A method foroperating a Global Positioning System (GPS) enabled wireless terminal,the method comprising: accessing a GPS receiver of the wireless terminalto determine location coordinates of the wireless terminal; detectingentering of a premises based upon comparing the location coordinates tostored premises location coordinates; establishing communications with apremises map server via a wireless link; downloading a premises map fromthe premises map server, the premises map comprising: a plurality ofpoints of interest; and GPS coordinates respective to the plurality ofpoints of interest; and displaying the premises map on the display. 8.The method of claim 7, further comprising displaying an icon thatrepresents the wireless terminal along with the premises map on thedisplay at a location corresponding to the location coordinates.
 9. Themethod of claim 7, further comprising establishing wirelesscommunications with a premises wireless access point by: detecting thepremises wireless access point; querying the premises wireless accesspoint to request access; and receiving an access grant from the premiseswireless access point.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:discovering the premises map server based upon interaction with thepremises wireless access point; and sending a premises map downloadrequest to the premises map server.
 11. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising: determining an orientation of the wireless terminal withrespect to a reference direction; and orienting the premises map on thedisplay based upon the orientation of the wireless terminal so that thepremises map is displayed in a correct orientation with reference tomapped physical features.
 12. The method of claim 7, further comprising:determining a maximum data size for a premises map download; and sendinga premises map download request to the premises map server that includesthe maximum data size.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the premisesmap has a data size no greater than the maximum data size.
 14. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the premises map has geographic boundariesselected to meet the maximum data size.
 15. The method of claim 12,wherein the premises map has a level of detail that causes a data sizeof the premises map to be no greater than the maximum data size.
 16. Amethod for operating a wireless terminal to display a map segment on adisplay of the wireless terminal, the method comprising: accessing aGlobal Positioning System (GPS) receiver of the wireless terminal todetermine location coordinates of the wireless terminal; determining amap segment downloading latency; determining a rate of motion of thewireless terminal; based upon the rate of motion of the wirelessterminal, estimating a duration of time when future location coordinatesof the wireless terminal will depart from a current map segment; whenthe map segment downloading latency compares unfavorably to the durationof time, sending a subsequent map segment download request to the mapserver via the supporting wireless network infrastructure that includesthe location coordinates of the wireless terminal; receiving a mapsegment in response to the map segment download request; and displayingthe map segment and an icon that represents the wireless terminal on thedisplay, the icon displayed on the map segment at a locationcorresponding to the location coordinates of the wireless terminal. 17.The method of claim 16, wherein determining the map segment downloadinglatency comprises: estimating a data download rate from a servicing mapserver; estimating a data size of a map segment to be downloaded; anddetermining the map segment downloading latency based upon the downloadrate and the data size.
 18. The method of claim 16: further comprisingdetermining a direction of motion of the wireless terminal; and whereinestimation the duration of time when future location coordinates of thewireless terminal will depart from the current map segment furtherconsiders the direction of motion of the wireless terminal.
 19. Themethod of claim 16, further comprising: determining a maximum data sizefor a map segment download; and including the maximum data size with themap segment download request.
 20. The method of claim 19, whereindetermining a maximum data size for a map segment download comprises:determining a data size of currently available memory; estimating a datasize required for other application uses; and based upon the size of thecurrently available memory and the data size required for otherapplication uses, determining the maximum data size for the map segmentdownload.
 21. The method of claim 19, wherein determining a maximum datasize for a map segment download comprises: determining a data size ofcurrently available memory; estimating a data size required for otherapplication uses; determining a data size of prior map segment(s) thatmay be overwritten; and based upon the size of the currently availablememory, the data size required for other application uses, and a datasize of prior map segment(s) that may be overwritten, determining themaximum data size for the map segment download.
 22. The method of claim19, wherein the map segment has geographic boundaries selected to meetthe maximum data size.
 23. The method of claim 19, wherein the mapsegment has a level of detail that causes the data size of the mapsegment to be no greater than the maximum data size.
 24. A wirelessterminal comprising: a wireless interface; a user interface including adisplay; a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver; and a processingunit communicatively coupled to the wireless interface, the userinterfaces and the GPS receiver and operable to: access a GlobalPositioning System (GPS) receiver of the wireless terminal to determinelocation coordinates of the wireless terminal; determine a maximum datasize for a map segment download; select a level of detail for the mapsegment download; send a map segment download request to a server via asupporting wireless network infrastructure, the map segment downloadrequest including the location coordinates, the maximum data size, andthe selected level of detail; receive a map segment corresponding to thelocation coordinates of the wireless terminal, the map segment having adata size no greater than the maximum data size and a level of detailcorresponding to the selected level of detail; and display the mapsegment and an icon that represents the wireless terminal on thedisplay, the icon displayed on the map segment at a locationcorresponding to the location coordinates of the wireless terminal. 25.A wireless terminal comprising: a wireless interface; a user interfaceincluding a display; a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver; and aprocessing unit communicatively coupled to the wireless interface, theuser interfaces and the GPS receiver and operable to: access a GPSreceiver of the wireless terminal to determine location coordinates ofthe wireless terminal; detect entering of a premises based uponcomparing the location coordinates to stored premises locationcoordinates; establish communications with a premises map server via awireless link; download a premises map from the premises map server, thepremises map comprising: a plurality of points of interest; and GPScoordinates respective to the plurality of points of interest; anddisplay the premises map on the display.
 26. A wireless terminalcomprising: a wireless interface; a user interface including a display;a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver; and a processing unitcommunicatively coupled to the wireless interface, the user interfacesand the GPS receiver and operable to: access a Global Positioning System(GPS) receiver of the wireless terminal to determine locationcoordinates of the wireless terminal; determine a map segmentdownloading latency; determine a rate of motion of the wirelessterminal; based upon the rate of motion of the wireless terminal,estimate a duration of time when future location coordinates of thewireless terminal will depart from a current map segment; when the mapsegment downloading latency compares unfavorably to the duration oftime, send a subsequent map segment download request to the map servervia the supporting wireless network infrastructure that includes thelocation coordinates of the wireless terminal; receive a map segment inresponse to the map segment download request; and display the mapsegment and an icon that represents the wireless terminal on thedisplay, the icon displayed on the map segment at a locationcorresponding to the location coordinates of the wireless terminal.